Locations
Cheltenham, Manchester
Salary
£66,581, plus £3,030 concessionary payment
Flexible working
Though a full‑time role, flexible and compressed hours are supported and job share applications are welcomed. This is an office‑based role with limited opportunities for home working. Occasional travel between Cheltenham, Manchester and London is required.
About Us
GCHQ is an intelligence, cyber, and security agency with a mission to keep the UK safe. We use cutting‑edge technology, ingenuity, and partnerships to identify, analyse and disrupt threats. Working with our intelligence partners, MI5 and MI6, we protect the UK from terrorism, cyber‑attacks and espionage. At GCHQ, you’ll do varied and fascinating work in a supportive and inclusive environment that emphasises teamwork.
The role
As an Employment Lawyer within GCHQ’s Legal Directorate, you’ll provide expert advice on employment law in a fast‑paced and highly sensitive environment. You’ll help shape decisions that impact our people and our mission, managing a varied workload that spans casework, policy and litigation.
You’ll join a small, collaborative team based in Cheltenham or Manchester, working closely with HR and Security colleagues, and lawyers from other intelligence agencies, to deliver clear, well‑considered advice on complex employment issues. From handling litigation to advising on security‑related matters, your work will be intellectually challenging and often time‑critical, requiring precision and adaptability.
You’ll develop your expertise through exposure to diverse legal work and structured training opportunities, taking on more complex matters as your experience grows. While much of your role will be office‑based, you’ll collaborate across locations and disciplines, contributing to cross‑agency projects and helping embed best practice across the organisation.
Whether drafting detailed advice, supporting investigations, delivering training or shaping policy, you’ll play a vital role in ensuring our employment practices remain robust, fair and aligned with national security priorities. This is a role that offers opportunities for professional growth and progression within a supportive, experienced and collaborative team.
About You
You must be a qualified solicitor or barrister/advocate in England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland with at least three years’ post‑qualification experience in employment law.
You will bring excellent legal judgement, strong analytical skills and the ability to provide clear, practical advice in a fast‑paced, high‑impact environment. With experience managing a varied employment law workload, you’ll be confident working under pressure to meet tight deadlines. Proactive and motivated with the ability to pick up new areas of law quickly, you’ll combine technical expertise with creativity, offering risk‑based solutions that balance legal requirements with operational needs.
You’ll work closely with HR and Security teams, and lawyers from other agencies, so strong communication skills and the ability to build relationships across disciplines are essential. You’ll be comfortable explaining complex legal concepts in a clear, accessible way to non‑specialist audiences.
Training and development
From the moment you join, you’ll be allocated a buddy and supported by a structured induction that introduces you to your team, your role and the wider organisation. You’ll take part in a formal onboarding programme and a bespoke induction into the Employment Law team, helping you build confidence and clarity as you settle in.
You’ll have a wide range of learning opportunities, from on‑the‑job training and peer support to formal courses delivered through the Government Legal Profession. Whether refining your expertise in employment law or exploring new areas such as security‑related legal issues, you’ll be encouraged to shape your own development journey.
We’ll also support you in attending the annual Legal Induction course and provide access to the Legal Information Online Network, which offers government training packages and bespoke sessions from external legal firms. You’ll benefit from regularly sharing knowledge and best practice across teams.
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